Question

Health care professionals should consider a syringe driver or intima sub-cut lines as a means of providing symptom control via subcutaneous infusion of drugs to treat unrelieved pain. Answer the following questions

6.1) Mention 4 (four) indications for use of syringe drivers in administration of pain medication.

6.2) Specify 2 (two) contra indications for use of syringe drivers in administration of pain medication.

6.3) List 2 (two) indications for intima sub-cut lines for pain relief, anti-nausea and steroid injections

6.4) List 3 (three) commonly used medications administered using a syringe driver to relieve pain.

Answer 1

A syringe driver is a syringe pump or infusion pump used to slowly administer the IV fluids ,drugs etc to a patient.

1. Indications of syringe driver for administration of pain medications.are :-

- when the patient is not able to take the medicine by mouth due to ulcers , have vomiting ,sedated etc. It also removes the need for repeated dose of medication and a consistent dose is given.

- when the dose of drug has to be given is small ,and has to be given in 2 to 4 hrs

- when the drug cannot be given bolus ,have any side effects on bolus administration.

- when the patient needs prolonged and continuous analgesics due to severe pain .

2. Two contraindications for use of syringe drivers in administration of pain medication are :-

- when the analgesics used can be given bolus , we should not give it by infusion method , continuous infusion may result in thrombophlebitis .

- when the device has some technical problem because ,it may not provide the dose accurately it may low or above the entered flow rate and might result is severe reaction.

3. Two indications for intima sub cut lines for pain relief, nausea and steroid administration :-

- when the patient is unable to take the medicine by mouth due to mucositis ,unable to swallow , coma patients etc

- when the medicine cannot be taken orally , rectal route not appropriate ,and poor alimentary absorption.

4. Three commonly used medications administered using a syringe driver to relieve pain are :-

- acetaminophen

- fentanyl

- morphine